Johan Vásquez highlights the help of Rafa Márquez in the national team to improve ball handling

Johan Vasquezdefender of the Mexican soccer team, highlighted this Tuesday the contribution of Rafael Marquez, assistant to coach Javier Aguirre, so that the team improves the start with controlled ball.

“I try to contribute as much as I can from my defensive experience, to which Rafa Márquez helps me a lot with the ball, not just me, he does it with all of us,” said the Genoa defender from Italian Serie A.

Vásquez is preparing together with the Mexican team for the opening match of the 2026 World Cup in which they will face South Africa next Thursday at the Azteca Stadium.

Johan explained that having a man of Márquez’s experience, a Barcelona legend and Mexican national team legend, has boosted the level of all his teammates.

The 27-year-old defender, originally from Navojoa, Sonora, also spoke about the close relationship he has with Edson Álvarez, his partner in the central defense.

“With Edson we are like brothers, we have known each other for many years. It is an honor to share the center with him, we hope it is not the last game, nor the last World Cup. We both can’t wait for this to start,” said Vásquez.

In his turn, Mateo Chávez, a 22-year-old winger who plays for AZ Alkmaar of the Eredevisie, explained the transition that this team went through in this Javier Aguirre process.

“Today we have the focus and concentration to go for the three points. Before it was about improving performance and showing yourself to have a place here, but now we know that the result is above everything, we are looking to create a game idea and I feel that we have achieved it,” he explained.

Chávez pointed out that to shake off the nerves of the World Cup debut, he seeks to distract his mind with daily activities, without thinking about the future.

“It helps me not to think too much, to arrive at the game as clear as I can, I like to rule out scenarios that don’t work for me, so I live training day by day. I don’t know if I’m going to play, but my doors are open for whatever they’re going to need from me,” he concluded.